Anchoring and sealing device



Aug. 20,1963 6., mums 3,101,119

' mmm smma 1mm:

Filed July 1.960 2; Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR George C. Dickens ATTORNEY 20, 1963 a, C DICKENS 3,101,119 ANCHORING AND swim; DEVICE5 Filed July 2:2. 1960' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,101,119 AN (IHGRING AND SEALING DEVICE George C. Dickens, Dallas, Tex, assignoito Gtis Engineering Corporation, Dallas, Tex, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 22, 1960, Ser. No. 44,739

V 13 Qlairns. (Cl. 166-20) This invention relates to well tools and more particularly to well tools for securing sub-surface well devices in preselected positions in a well flow conductor, such as a string of well tubing.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved well tool adapted for use in a well flow conductor to support sub-surface well devices in predetermined positions in the well flow conductor.

Another object is to provide a new and improved well tool for releasably anchoring well devices in a well flow conductor.

Still another object is to provide an improved device for releasably anchoring well devices in a well flow conductor, the anchoring device having locator keys which are maintained in a retracted position until the anchoring device is lowered to a position below the position in which it is to be located and is then moved upwardly to the desired position, whereby the locator keys are protected from wear which would otherwise occur if they were free to move to expanded positions *frictionally to contact the well flow conductor as the anchoring device is lowered thercthrough.

A further object is to provide an improved device for releasably anchoring well devices in a well flow conductor, the anchoring device having locator keys which are maintained in retracted positions by a retractor means which is movable out of engagement with the locator keys upon upward movement of the anchoring device in the well flow conductor and a locking means movable downwardly relative to the locator keys, after the locator keys have been moved outwardly to expanded position for engagement with the stop shoulders of the well flow conductor to limit movement of the anchoring device in the well flow conductor, to lock the locator keys against movement from expanded positions toward retracted positions.

A still further object is to'provide an anchoring device having locator keys held in retracted positions by a retractor means which is movable out of engagement with the locator keys upon upward movement of the anchoring device in the well flow conductor, the locator keys upon expansion being engageable with stop shoulders of the well flow conductor to limit movement of the anchoring device in the well flow conductor, and having releasable locking means engageable with the locator keys preventing movement of the locator keys from expanded position, the releasable locking means being operable when the locator keys have located the anchoring device in predetermined position in the well flow conductor and have moved, into expanded position to engage the shoulders of the well flow conductor to limit longitudinal movement of the anchoring device in the well flow conductor.

Another object is to provide an anchoring device for releasably anchoring well devices in a well flow conductor in any one of a plurality of spaced identical internal annular locator grooves of the well how conductor, the anchoring device having locator keys which are expandable into any one of the locator grooves upon upward movement of the anchoring device in the well flow conductor, such upward movement moving a retractor sleeve out of engagement with the locator keys to tree the keys for outward movement into any one of the locator grooves, the anchoring device having a locking means which is movable downwardly to lock the locator keys in 3, l M ,1 l9 Patented Aug. 29, l 963 2 expanded positions whereby the locator keys limit longitudinal movement of the anchoring device in either direction through the well flow conductor.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading ot the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the anchoring device of the invention showing the anchoring device as it appears during its downward passage through a well flow conductor;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the anchoring device in operative anchoring position in a landing nipple of the well flow conductor; 7

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the retractor sleeve in its lowermost position on the anchoring device;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one of the locator keys of the anchoring device;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 7 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of a modified form of the anchoring device showirrg the anchoring device as it appears in its downward passage through the well flow conductor.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 1 through 6 of the drawings, the anchoring device 10 is employed to anchor any suitable well tool such as bottom hole chokes, plugs, safety valves, regulators and the like in any predetermined one of a pluralty of landing nipples 11 connected in and constituting sections of a tubing string T. Each of the landing nipples 11 is provided with an internal annular locator groove or recess 12 which provides an upwardly and inwardly extending stop shoulder 13 and a lower upwardly facing annular stop shoulder 14. The landing nipples 11 may have internal locator recesses 12 which are identical in configuration and in dimensions so that the anchoring device may be located and anchored in any selected one of a plurality of the landing nipples 11 of a tubing string T.

- The anchoring device 10 includes an elongate mandrel 15 having an upper mandrel section 16, an intermediate mandrel section 17 and a lower sealing section 18. The

upper mandrel section is threaded in the upper end of the intermediate mandrel section and its upper end has an external annular flange 20 which provides a downwardly facing stop shoulder 21. An upper key retainer ring 23 is threaded on the lower end of the upper section of the mandrel and has downwardly extending spaced projections 26 which extend into the upwardly opening slots 27 of the locking and locator keys 28 to limit outward dis placement of the keys. The vertical shoulders 30 of the projections 26 engage the vertical shoulders 31 of the keys to limit the outward movement of the keys from retracted positions toward expanded positions.

The locator keys have internal recesses 33 in which springs 34 are received. The springs bias the locator keys outwardly and may be of the type illustrated in the patent to Fredd, No. 2,798,559. The spnings have free outer ends 36 which are received in the apertures 37 of the locator keys. The springs engage the external surface of the intermediate section 17 of the mandrel as well as the internal surfaces of the keys.

The locator keys have external bosses 40, upwardly and inwardly extending shoulders 41 and downwardly facing shoulders 42 which extend substantially perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The downwardly facing shoulders are adapted to engage the abrupt upwardly facing shoulder 14 of the annular locator recess 12 of any one of the landing nipples 11. The locator keys have lower reduced end portions 44 which provide downwardly facing stop shoulders 45 spaced below the downwardly facing shoulders 42 of the bosses of the locator keys. The reduced end portions provide the step down surfaces 46.

The locator keys are adapted to be held in their retracted positions by a retractor sleeve whose lower end telescopes over a stop ring 51 disposed about an intermediate portion of the intermediate mandrel section "17 held in place by a lock ring 52 threaded on the lower end of the intermediate mandrel section. The lock ring holds an internal annular flange 54 of the stop sleeve in engagement with a downwardly facing shoulder of the intermediate mandrel section to prevent movement of the stop sleeve on the intermediate mandrel section. The retractor sleeve 50 has an internal annular groove 56 in which is disposed an O-ring 57 frictionally engaging the stop sleeve 51. The Q-rinn is partially received in the external annular groove 53 of the stop sleeve when the retractor sleeve 56 is in the lower position on the stop sleeve illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. The O-ning, when it is located in the external annular groove 5% of the stop sleeve, tends to prevent upward displacement of the retraotor sleeve on the stop sleeve relative to the locator keys. The shoulder 6th defining the lower end of the internal groove 56 of the retractor sleeve 54? extends inwardly and downwardly so that the O-ring 57 is moved inwardly toward greater frictional engagement with the downwardly facing annular shoulder 61 of the groove 53 when the retractor sleeve is moved upwardly on the stop sleeve and thus the friction therebetween tending to prevent such upward displacement is increased.

The retractor sleeve also has an external annular recess 62 in which is disposed an external O-ning 63. The external O-ring extends outwardly of the retractor sleeve to engage the inner surfaces of the landing nipples ltli, which have a smaller internal diameter than the tubing sections 65 of the tubing string, as the anchoring device is lowered therethrough to maintain the retractor sleeve in its uper operative position illustrated in FEGURE 1 wherein the annular inner surface 66 of the retractor sleeve engages the intermediate surfaces 67 between the downwardly facing shoulders 42 and 45 of the locator keys. The annular surface 68 defining one side of the external annular recess 62 of the retractor sleeve extends downwardly and outwardly so that the 0-ring 63 is cammed outwardly when it is moved downwardly in the recess upon upward movement of the anchoring device and of the retractor sleeve in the landing nipple in order that the friction between the external O-ring and the landing nipple may increase to resist such upward movement of the retractor sleeve in the landing nipple.

It will be apparent that when the retractor sleeve 50 is in its upper position on the mandrel, the locator keys are held in their retracted positions on the mandrel, illustrated in FIGURE 1, against the force'exerted by the springs 34. When the retractor sleeve is in the lower position illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, its upper end is below the downwardly facing shoulders 45 of the keys and the internal annular recess 76? adjacent its upper end is aligned with the step down surfaces 46 of the locator keys so that the locator keys are free to move outwardly to the expanded positions illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. Tie engagement of the step down surfaces 46 of the keys with the retractor sleeve limits such outward movement of the lower ends of the keys.

Upward movenrent of the tretractor sleeve on the intermediate mandrel section is limited by the engagement of the upper end thereof with the downwardly facing shoulders 4-2 of the keys 28 when the keys are in retracted positions. Downward movement of the retr-actor sleeve on the stop sleeve, and therefore on the intermediate l mandrel section, is limited by the engagement of its lower end with the upper end of the retainer ring 52'.

The lower sealing section 18 0f the mandrel is provided with an external recess 72 in which isdisposed a seal assembly 73 whose upward movement on the lower section of the mandrel is limited by the downwardly facing annular shoulder 74 thereof and whose downward movement on the lower mandrel section is limited by the retainer ring '75 threaded on the lower reduced end portion 77 of the lower mandrel section :18. Any suitable well tool which it is desired to position in the tubing string may be connected to the mandrel 15 by means of the reduced breaded portion ""7 of the lower mandrel section.

The keys are locked in expanded position by a locking sleeve 8t whose upper end is provided with an external annular fishing neck or flange 81 which provides an undercut downwardly facing shoulder 82. The lower end of the locking sleeve is provided with a pair of lock extensions 84 received in external longitudinal recesses 85 of the upper retainer ring 23 and are slidable therethrough to positions wherein their outer surfaces engage the upper internal surfaces 37 of the keys to prevent inward movement of the keys towards their retracted positions adjacent inner mandrel section.

The intermediate mandrel section 17 is provided with lateral ports 2E8 which permit flow of fluids between the keys and the mandrel to prevent the deposition or accumulation of solid particles, such as sand, between the keys and the mandrel which would tend to prevent the inward movement of the keys from expanded positions to retracted positions.

In use, when it is desired to locate and anchor any well tool in a predetermined landing nipple ll of the tubing string T, such well tool is connected to the reduced threaded lower end portion 77 of the lower mandrel'section. The locking sleeve till is moved to the upper position illustrated in FIGURE 1 wherein its extensions 34 are disposed above the upper ends of the keys and the keys are moved to their retracted positions adjacent the intermediate expander mandrel section 17. The retractor sleeve St} is then moved upwardly to the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 wherein its internal surface 66 abuts the outer surfaces 67 of the keys below the abrupt downwardly facing shoulders 42 thereof. The keys are thus held in their retracted positions adjacent the mandrel section '17 with the outer surfaces of the bosses 40 thereof disposed inwardly of and out of contact with the internal surfaces of the well flow conductor as the tubing string and of the landin nipple so that they do not contact the tubing string and thus are safeguarded against undue wear during downward movement of the anchoring device through the tubing string.

A suitable running tool, such as the running tool disclosed in the patent to Otis 2,348,563, is then connected to the anchoring device. The running tool has hooks which engage the downwardly facing shoulder 32 of the locking sleeve whereby the assembly of the anchoring device and of the well tool are suspended from the hooks of the running tool with the locking sleeve in the upper position on the upper mandrel section as shown in FIG- URE l, and the assembly may then be lowered into the tubing string, since upward movement of the locking sleeve on the mandrel is limited by its engagement with the shoulder 21 of the flange 2d of the mandrel. The locking sleeve is thus in an upper position on the mandrel, its lower end being above the upper ends of the locator keys which are now in retracted position adjacent the intermediate mandrel section 17, since the lower ends of the locking extensions 54 would engage the upper ends of the keys 28 to prevent downward movement of the locking sleeve on the mandrel. The assembly may then be lowered into the tubing string T by means of a flexible line which is connected to the running tool through the usual set of flexible line tool which may include jars. As the assembly of the running tool, the anchoring device and the well tool carried by it moves downwardly through the tubing string, the external O-ring 63 does not contact the internal surfaces of the tubing sections since it is in the upper position of greatest depth of the recess 62 but does engage the internal surfaces of any landing nipples 11 through which it passes. The frictional engagement between the external O-ring and such internal surfaces of the landing nipples tends to move the retractor sleeve to and hold it in its upper key retracting position.

7 When the assembly is lowered to a position below the position in which it is desired to lock it in the tubing string, the assembly is moved upwardly in the tubing string whereupon the frictional engagement of the external ring with the internal surfaces of the first landing nipple it reaches during such upward movement, tends to prevent upward movement of the retractor sleeve. As the external Q-rlng engages the internal surfaces of the laud ing nipple, it tends to remain stationary while the retractor sleeve moves upwardly. Such relative movement between the external O-ring and the retractor sleeve moves the retractor O-ring to the lower shallower posi-. tion of the recess 62 and causes it to be moved outwardly and compressed against the mandrel to increase the frictional engagement therebetween. The upper end of the retractor sleeve is now aligned with the step down sur-' faces 46 of the locator keys so that the internal surface 66 of the retractor sleeve is out of engagement with the external surfaces 67 of the locking and locator keys and the step down surfaces 46 of the lower ends of the locator keys are aligned or disposed in the internal recess 70 at the upper end of the retractor sleeve so that the locator keys are now free to move outwardly toward the expanded positions to which they are being urged by the springs 34.

When continued upward movement of the tool assembly moves the locator keys into alignment with the locator recess 12 of the selected landing nipple, the locator keys move outwardly into the locator recess. The tool assembly is then lowered again until the engagement of the downwardly facing stop shoulders 42 of the bosses 4-6 of the locator keys with the abrupt upwardly facing stop shoulder 14 of the locator recess 12 of the landing nipple stops further downward movement of the tool assembly and of the mandrel 15. The running tool is caused to move further downwardly, as by jars, to engage the shoulder 89 of the lock sleeve to cause the lock sleeve 80 to move downwardly on the mandrel so that its locking extensions 84 move downwardly between the upper portions of the keys and the intermediate mandrel section whereupon the engagement of the internal surfaces 87 of the keys with the outer surfaces of the lock extensions 84 prevents inward movement of the locator keys. The running tool is then freed from the anchoring device by downward jars imparted thereto which shear a pin in the running tool causing the running tool to disengage from the lock sleeve whereupon the running tool and any other tools connected between the running tool and the line are retrieved from the well leaving the anchoring device and the well tool it supports in operative position in the tubing string.

When the retractor sleeve reaches its lowermost position on the stop sleeve 51 the internal O-n'ng 57 thereof enters into the groove of the stop sleeve. Any tendency on the part of the retractor sleeve 5% to move upwardly is now resisted by the engagement of the O-ring 57 with the upper downwardly facing shoulder 61 of the external groove 58 of the stop sleeve and with the downwardly and inwardly extending lower cam shoulder 64) of the internal recess 56 of the retractor sleeve so that any tendency of the retractor sleeve to move upwardly causes the internal O-ring 57 to be cammed inwardly against the internal downwardly facing shoulder of the groove 58 of the stop sleeve 51. The lower annular shoulder 69 of the external groove which extends outwardly and upwardly however tends to retain the external O-ring in the groove and prevents it from jamming between the retractor sleeve and the internal surfaces of the landing nipple.

The anchoring device is now held against 'both upward and downward movement in the landing nipple. Upward movement thereof is limited by engagement of the stop shoulders 41 of the keys with the upper shoulders 13 of the locating recess 12 of the landing nipple and downward movement thereof is limited by the engagement of the stop shoulders 42 of the locator keys with the lower upwardly facing abrupt shoulder 14- of the locating recess. The locator keys are now positively locked in their expanded positions and cannot move inwardly either due to pressure differentials existing across the anchoring device or any forces imparted to the mandrel such as might be occasioned by the accidental dropping of objects into the tubing strings which might strike the upper end of the mandrel forcibly.

The sealing assembly 73 of course seals between the mandrel and the landing nipple below the locator keys. The provision of the openings 88 in the mandrel permits flow of fluids therethrough and between the keys and the mandrel thereby preventing any accumulation of sand the well tool supported by it from the tubing string, a. pulling tool and its associated tools are lowered into the,

well tubing by means of a flexible line. The pulling tool may be of the type disclosed in the patent to Marshall 2,605,131 which has means which engage the undercut shoulder 82 of the lock sleeve 80 when the lower portions of the pulling tool are telescoped over the upper portions of the anchoring device. An upward force then applied to the pulling tool through the usual wire line tools, as by upward jars or merely by taking a strain on the flexible line, moves the lock sleeve upwardly on the mandrel until the upper end of the lock sleeve engages the downwardly facing shoulder 21 of the annular flange 249 on the upper end of the mandrel. During such upward movement of the lock sleeve on the mandrel, the lock extensions 84 move upwardly from the positions illustrated in FIGURE 2to the positions illustrated in FIGURE 1 where they are disposed above the locking and locator keys. The keys are then free to move inwardly. Continued upward movement of the pulling tool now causes the mandrel to move upwardly together with the lock sleeve. The camming engagement between the upper shoulders ill of the locator keys and the upper shoulder 13 of the locator recess now earns the locator keys inwardly permitting upward movement of the anchoring device through the landing nipple 11. The locator keys are thus cammed inwardly upon meeting any other downwardly facing obstructions or shoulders of the tubing string as the anchoring device is moved upwardly therethrough. The anchoring device may thus be removed completely out of the tubing string.

It will now be seen that a new and improved anchoring device has been illustrated and described which may be selectively located and secured against longitudinal movement in any one of a number of spaced landing nipples of a tubing string which have identical locator recesses 12.

It will further be seen that the anchoring device includes a mandrel 15 having locking and locator means armors It will further be seen that the anchoring device includes a retractor sleeve for holding the keys in retracted positions adjacent the mandrel and the retractor sleeve is provided with an external O-ring 63 or friction means for frictionally engaging the internal wall surfaces of the Well flow conductor to cause-relative movement between the mandrel and the retractor sleeve upon upward movement to the mandrel in a well flow conductor whereby the keys are freed for movement toward expanded positions.

It will further be seen that the mandrel and the retractor sleeve are provided with means for releasably holding the retractor sleeve in its lower inoperative position on the mandrel.

It will further be seen that the mandrel is provided with sealing means for sealing between the well flow conductor and the mandrel and that the mandrel is provided with lateral apertures above the sealing means whereby flow of fluids is caused to take place between the locator keys and the mandrel to prevent jamming of the keys due to the accumulation of sand or the like between the keys and the mandrel.

It will further be seen that the means on the retractor sleeve for frictionally engaging the internal wall surfaces of the well flow conductor includes a resilient ring 63 which is disposed in an external annular recess of the retractor sleeve, the annular recess being defined by an inner annular surface which slopes downwardly and outwardly and by a lower shoulder which slopes upwardly and outwardly whereby the resilient ring is moved outwardly into greater frictional contact with the internal wall surfaces or" the well fiow conductor upon upward movement of the retractor sleeve through the well flow conductor due to downward movement of the resilient ring in the external recess. At the same time the upwardly and outwardly extending lower shoulder defining the recess prevents movement of the resilient ring outwardly of the recess into binding engagement with the sleeve and the internal wall surfaces of the well flow conductor whereby the ring merely provides a frictional engagement between the retractor sleeve and the well flow conductor which tends to hold the retractor sleeve against upward movement in the well flow conductorwhen the mandrel is moved upwardly but which does not prevent upawrdly movement of the anchoring device through the well flow conductor.

lfn FlGURE 7 is illustrated a modified form of the anchoring device wherein the mandrel 15a is identical in all respects to the mnadrel 15 of the well tool 10 except that it is formed of only two sections 16a and i'7a. The lower section 17a of the mandrel 15a is provided with the locking and locator keys 2% and the upper section is provided with the upper key retainer ring 23. Lateral apertures 88a are provided in the mandrel 17a communicating with the bore therethroug-h for the same purpose as the apertures 88 of the form first described.

The retractor sleeve 5th is mounted for limited longitudinal movement on the mandrel 17a and its downward movement limited by the upwardly facing shoulder 91? provided by the external flange 91 of the lower mandrel section 17a. The internal G-ring 57 of the retractor sleeve is receivable in an external recess 92 of the lower mandrel section 17a whose function is the same as that of the recess 58 of the stop sleeve d1 of the anchoring device 10. The sealing assembly 73 is disposed below the flange 91 whose lower downwardly facing shoulder 95 limits upward movement of the sealing assembly on the lower mandrel section. A lock ring 96 is threaded on the reduced externally threaded lower end portion 97 of the lower mandrel section to limit downward movement of the sealing assembly 73 on the lower mandrel section.

The well tool which is to be supported by the anchoring device of course is connectable to the mandrel by means of the threaded reduced lower portions 9'7 thereof.

It will thus be apparent that the anchoring device illustrated in FIGURE 7 functions in the same manner as the anchoring device ill and differs therefrom only in the omission of the stop sleeve 51, the recess 92 of the mandrel 15a serving the samevpurpose as the recess 58 of the stop sleeve to receive the internal O-ring 57 of the retractor sleeve and releasably hold the retractor sleeve in its lower operative position on the mandrel.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for releasably anchoring well tools at a selected level within a well flow conductor including: a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel; resilient means urging said locator key radially outwardly of the mandrel, said locator key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of he mandrel and a stop surface disposed below the upper surface and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; retractor means longitudinally slidably mounted on the mandrel and engageable with an external surface on the key when the locator key is in retracted position and said retractor means is in an upper position on the mandrel for holding the locator key in retracted position, the retractor means being moved out of such engagement with said locatorkey to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retractor means having means engageable with internal surfaces of a well flow conductor for causing said retractor means to assume said lower position upon upward movement of said mandrel in a well how conductor; and locking means mounted for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inoperative position wherein said locking means does not engage said locator key and a lower operative position wherein said locking means is disposed between said mandrel and said l ocator key to prevent inward movement of said locator key from expanded position, said locking means being movable from said upper position to said lower position when said locator key is in expanded position relative to the mandrel.

2. A device for releasably anchoring well tools at a selected level within a well flow conductor including: a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel; resilient means urging said locator key radially outwardly of the mandrel, said locator key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and a stop surface disposed below the upper surface and substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; retractor means longitudinally slidably mounted on the mandrel and engageable with an external surface on the key when the locator key is in retracted position and said retractor means is in an upper position on the mandrel for holding the lacator key in retracted position, the retractor means being moved rout of such engagement with said locator key to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retractor means having means engageable with internal surfaces of a well flow conductor for causing said retractor means to assume said lower position upon upward movement of said mandrel in a well flow conductor; and locking means mounted for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inoperative position and a lower operative position wherein said locking means is disposed between said mandrel and said locator key to prevent inward movement of said locator key from expanded position, said locking means being movable from said upper position to said lower position 3. A device for releasably anchoring well tools at a selected level within a well flow conductor including: a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel; resilient means urging said locator key radially outwardly of the mandrel, said locator key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and a stop surface disposed below the upper surface and substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; retractor means longitudinally slidably mounted on the mandrel and engageable with an external surface H the key when the locator key is in retracted position and said retractor means is in an upper position on the mandrel for holding the locator key in retracted position, the retractor means being moved out of such engagement with said locator key to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retractor means having means engageable with internal surfaces of a well flow conductor for causing said retractor means to assume said lower position upon upward movement of said mandrel in a well flow conductor; locking means mounted for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inoperative position and alower operative position wherein said locking means is disposed between said mandrel and said locator key to prevent inward movement of said locator key from expanded position, said locking means being movable from said upper position to said lower position when said locator key is in expanded position relative to the mandrel; and means on said mandrel for sealing between said mandrel and a well flow conductor.

4. A device for releasably anchoring well tools at a selected level within a well flow conductor including: a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel; resilient means urging said locator key radially outwardly of the mandrel, said locator key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and astop surface disposed below the upper surface and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; retractor means longitudinally slidably mounted on the mandrel and engageable with an external surface on the key when the locator key is in retracted position and said retractor means is in an upper position on the mandrel for holding the locator key in retracted position, the retractor means being moved out of such engagement with said locator key to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retractor means having means engageable with internal surfaces of a well flow conductor for causing said retractor means to assume said lower position upon upward movement of said mandrel in a well flow conductor; locking means mounted for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inoperative position and a lower operative position wherein said locking means is disposed between said mandrel and said locator key to engage the internal surface of said locator key to prevent inward movement of said locator key from expanded position, said locking means being movselected level within a well flow conductor comprising: a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel; resilient means urging said locator key radially outwardly of the mandrel, said ocator key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and a stop surface disposed below the upper surface and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; retractor means longitudinally slidably mounted on the mandrel and engageable with an external surface on the key when the locator key is in retracted position and said retractor means is in an upper position on the mandrel for bolding the locator key in retracted position, the retractor means being moved out of such engagement with said locator key to free the key for outward movement when said retraotor means is moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retractor means having means engageable with internal surfaces of a well flow conductor for causing said retractor means to assume said lower position upon upward movement of said mandrel in a well flow conductor; locking means mounted for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inoperative position and a lower operative position wherein said looking means is disposed between said mandrel and said locator key to prevent inward movement of said locator key from expanded position, said locking means being movable from said upper position to said lower position when said locator key is in expanded position relative to the mandrel; and means on said mandrel for sealing between said mandrel below said locator key and a well flow conductor, said mandrel being provided with a flow passage and with a lateral aperture above said sealing means to provide for flow of fluids between the flow passage of the mandrel and the exterior thereof and between the mandrel and the locator key to prevent accumulation of solid particles therebetween.

6. Atdevice for releasably anchoring well tools at a selected level within a well flow conductor comprising: a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel; resilient means urging said locator key radially outwardly of the mandrel, said locator key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and a stop surface disposed below the upper surface and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; retractor means longitudinally slidably mounted on the mandrel and engageable with an external surface on the key when the locator key is in retracted position and said retractor means is in an upper position on the mandrel for holding the locator key in retracted position, the retractor means being moved out of such engagement with said locator key to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retractor means having means engageable with internal surfaces of -a well flow conductor for causing said retractor means to assume said lower position upon upwar-d movement of said mandrel in a well flow conductor; locking means mounted for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inoperative position and a lower operative position wherein said locking means is disposed between said mandrel and said 10- cator key to prevent inward movement of said locator key from expanded position, said locking means being movable from said upper position to said lower position when said locator key is in expanded position relative to the mandrel, said locking means having means engageable by running and pulling tools whereby the device may be lowered into and removed upwardly from a Well flow conductor; and means on said mandrel for sealing between said mandrel below said locator key and a well flow conductor, said mandrel being provided with a longitudinal flow passage therethrough and with a lateral aperture above said sealing means to provide for flow l l of fluids from the how passage of the mandrel through the aperture to the exterior thereof and between the mandrei and the locator key to prevent accumulationof solid particles therebetween;

7. A device for releasably anchoring well tools at a selected level within a well flow conductor comprising: a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel; resilient means urging said locator key radially outwardly of the mandrel, said locator key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and a stop surface disposed below the upper suriace and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; retractor means longitudinally slidably mounted on the mandrel and engageable with an external surface on the key when the locator key is in retracted position and said retractor means is in an upper position on the mandrel for holding the locat-or key in retracted position, the retract-or means being moved out of such engagement with said locator key to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retractor means having means engageable with internal surf-aces of a well flow conductor for causing said retractor means to assume said lower position upon upward movement of said mandrel in a well flow conductor; and locking means mounted for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inoperative position and a lower operative position wherein said locking means is disposed between said mandrel and said locator key to prevent inward movement of said locator key from expanded position, said locking means eing movable from said upper position to said lower position when said locator key is in expanded position relative to the mandrel, said retractor means comprising a sleeve having an external annular recess, said means engageable with internal surliaces of a well flow conductor comprising a resilient ring disposed in said recess and having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve.

8. A device for releasably anchoring well tools at a selected level within a well flow conductor comprising: a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel; resilient means urging said locator key radially outwardly of the mandrel, said locator key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and a stop surface disposed below the upper surface and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; retractor means longitudinally 'slidably mounted on the mandrel and engageabl with an external surface on the key when the locator key is in retracted position and said restractor meansis in an upper position on the mandrel for holding the locator key in retracted position, the retractor means being moved out of such engagement with said l ocator key to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retractor means having means engageable with internal surfaces of a well flow conductor for causing said retract-or means to assume said lower position upon upward movement of said mandrel in a well flow conductor; and locking means mounted for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inoperative position and a lower operative position wherein said locking means is disposed between said mandrel and said locator means to prevent inward movement of said locator key from expanded position, said locking means being movable from said upper position to said lower position when said locator key is in expanded position relative to the mandrel, said retraotor means comprising a sleeve having an external annular recess, said means engageable with internal surfaces of a well flow conductor comprising a resilient ring disposed in said recess and having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve, said recess being defined by spaced upper and lower anl2 nular' shoulders and an annular surface extending between said annular shoulders, said annular surface extending downwardly and outwardly.

9. A device for releasably anchoring well tools at a selected level within a well flow conductor comprising: a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel; resilient means urging said locator key radially ou wardly of the mandrel, said locat-or key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and a stop surface disposed below the upper surface and substantially normal to the longitudinal axi of the mandrel; retractor means longitudinally slidably mount d on the mandrel and engageable with an external surface on the key when the locator key is hi retracted position and said retractor means is in upper position on the mandrel for holding the locator key in retracted position, the retractor means being moved out of such engagement with said locator l; y to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is'moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retractor means having means engage-able with the internal sur faces of a well flow conductor for causing said retractor means to assume said lower position upon upward movenent of mandrel in a well flow conductor; and lockmonntod for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inoperative position and a lower operative position wherein said locking means engages the internal surface of said locator key to prevent inward movement of said looator key from expanded position, said locking means being movable from said upper position to said lower position when said 10- oat-or key is in expanded position relative to the mandrel, said retractor means comprising a sleeve having an external annular recess, said means engageable with in ternal surfaces of a well fiow conductor comprising a resilient ring disposed in said annular recess and having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve, said recess being defined by ced upper and lower annular shoulders and an annu surface extending between said annular shoulders, said annular surface extending downwardly and outwardly, said lower shoulders extending upwardly and outwardly.

10. A device for releasably anchoring well tools at a selected level within a well flow conductor comprising:

a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel; resilient means urging said locator key radially outwardly of the irandrel, said locator key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and a stop surface disposed below the upper surface and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; retractor means longitudinally slid-ably mounted on the mandrel and engageable with an external surface on the key when the locator key is in retracted position and said retractor means is in an upper position on the mandrel for holding the locator keyln retracted position, the retractor means being moved out of such engagement with said locat-or key to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retraotor means having means engageable with internal surfaces of a well how conductor for causing said retractor means to assume said lower position upon upward movement of said mandrel in a well flow conductor; locking means mounted for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inoperative position and a lower operative position wherein said locking means is disposed between said mandrel and said locator key to prevent inward movement of said looator key from expanded position, said locking means being movable from said upper position to saidlower position when said locator key is in expanded position relative to the mandrel; and limiting means on said mandrel and engageable with said key for limiting outward movement 13 of the key relative to the mandrel, said locking means comprising a sleeve disposed on said mandrel above said limiting means and having an extension movable through a longitudinal recess provided in said limiting means to a position between said mandrel and said locator key.

11. A device for releasably anchoring we'll tools at a selected level within a well flow conductor comprising: a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel; resilient means urging said locator key radially outwardly of the mandrel, said locator key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and a stop surface disposed below the upper surface and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; a retractor means longitudinally slidably mounted on the mandrel and engageable with an external surface on the key when the locator key is in retracted position and said retractor means is in an upper position on the mandrel for holding the locator key in retracted position, the retractor means being moved out of such engagement with said locator key to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retractor means having means engageable with internal surfaces of a well flow conductor for causing said retractor means to assume said lower position upon upward movement of said mandrel in a well flow conductor, looking means mounted for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inopenativegposition and a lower operative position wherein said locking means is disposed between said mandrel and said locator key to prevent inward movement of said locator key from expanded position, said locking means being movable from said upper position to said lower position when said locator key is in expanded position relative to the mandrel; and limiting means on said mandrel and engageable with said key for limiting outward movement of the key relative to the mandrel, said looking means comprising a sleeve disposed on said mandrel above said limiting means and having an extension movable through a longitudinal recess provided in said limiting means to a position between said mandrel and said locator key, said locking means having means engageable by running and pulling tools whereby the device may be lowered into and removed upwardly from a well flow conductor.

12. A device for releasably anchoring well tools at a selected level Within a well flow conductor comprising: a mandrel; a locator key expansibly mounted upon the mandrel, resilient means urging said locator key radially outwardly of the mandrel, said locator key having an upper surface inclined outwardly and downwardly of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and a stop surface disposed below the upper surface and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; retractor means longitudinally slidably mounted on the mandrel and engageable with an external surface on the key when the locator key is in retracted position and said retractor means isrin an upper position on the mandrel for holding the locator key in retracted position, the retractor means being moved out of such engagement with said locator key to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is moved downwardly from said upper position to a lower position on the mandrel, said retractor means having means engageable with internal surfaces of a well flow conductor for causing said retractor means to assume said lower position upon upward movement of said mandrel in a well flow conductor; locking means mounted for limited longitudinal movement on said mandrel between an upper inoperative 14 position and a lower operator position wherein said locking means is disposed between said mandrel and said locator key to prevent inward movement of said locator key from expanded positions, said locking means being movable from said upper position to said lower position when said locator key is in expanded position relative to the mandrel; means on said mandrel for sealing between said mandrel and a W611 flow conductor below said locator key, said mandrel being provided with a longitudinal bore therein and a lateral aperture communicating said bore with the exterior of said mandrel above said sealing means to provide for flow of fluids from the movable through a longitudinal recess provided in said limiting means to a position between said mandrel and said locator key.

13. A device for releasably anchoring well tools at a selected level within a well flow conductor including: a mandrel; a locking and locator key expansibly mounted on the mandrel; resilient means urging said locking and locator key laterally outwardly of the mandrel, said key having at one end a stop surface disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and at its opposite endan inclined surface extending outwardly and convergently toward the stop surfiace; a retractor means longitudinally slidably mounted on the mandrel for movement between a first and a second position thereon, said retractor means when in said first position engaging 'an external surface on the key when the key is in a retracted position on said mandrel for holding the key in such retracted position, said retractor means being moved out of engagement with saidkey to free the key for outward movement when said retractor means is moved longitudinally on said mandrel from said first position to said second position thereon, said retractor means having means engageable with the internal surfaces of a well flow conductor for causing said retractor means to move from said first to said second position upon longitudinal movement of said mandrel in a direction 0pposite the direction of relative movement of the retractor means on said mandrel from said first to said second positions; and locking means mounted on the mandrel for limited longitudinal movement between a first inoperative position wherein said locking means does not engage said locking and locator key and a second operative position wherein said locking means is disposed between said mandrel and said locking and locator key to prevent inward movement of said locator key from expanded position, said locking means being movable from said first position to said second position when said locking and locator key is in expanded position relative to said mandrel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,401,119 Taylor May 28, 1946 2,673,614 Miller Mar. 80, 1954 2,789,559 Fredd July 9, 1957 2,862,560 Bostock et al Dec. 2, 1958 2,894,586 Schramm et al. July 14, 1959 2,920,704 Fredd Jan. 12, 1960 

1. A DEVICE FOR RELEASABLY ANCHORING WELL TOOLS AT A SELECTED LEVEL WITHIN A WELL FLOW CONDUCTOR INCLUDING: A MANDREL; A LOCATOR KEY EXPANSIBLY MOUNTED UPON THE MANDREL; RESILIENT MEANS URGING SAID LOCATOR KEY RADIALLY OUTWARDLY OF THE MANDREL, SAID LOCATOR KEY HAVING AN UPPER SURFACE INCLINED OUTWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY OF THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE MANDREL AND A STOP SURFACE DISPOSED BELOW THE UPPER SURFACE AND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE MANDREL; RETRACTOR MEANS LONGITUDINALLY SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON THE MANDREL AND ENGAGEABLE WITH AN EXTERNAL SURFACE ON THE KEY WHEN THE LOCATOR KEY IS IN RETRACTED POSITION AND SAID RETRACTOR MEANS IS IN AN UPPER POSITION ON THE MANDREL FOR HOLDING THE LOCATOR KEY IN RETRACTED POSITION, THE RETRACTOR MEANS BEING MOVED OUT OF SUCH ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID LOCATOR KEY TO FREE THE KEY FOR OUTWARD MOVEMENT WHEN SAID RETRACTOR MEANS IS MOVED DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID UPPER POSITION TO A LOWER POSITION ON THE MANDREL, SAID RETRACTOR MEANS HAVING MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH INTERNAL SURFACES OF A WELL FLOW CONDUCTOR FOR CAUSING SAID RETRACTOR MEANS TO ASSUME SAID LOWER POSITION UPON UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID MANDREL IN A WELL FLOW CONDUCTOR; AND LOCKING MEANS MOUNTED FOR LIMITED LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT ON SAID MANDREL BETWEEN AN UPPER INOPERATIVE POSITION WHEREIN SAID LOCKING MEANS DOES NOT ENGAGE SAID LOCATOR KEY AND A LOWER OPERATIVE POSITION WHEREIN SAID LOCKING MEANS IS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID MANDREL AND SAID LOCATOR KEY TO PREVENT INWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID LOCATOR KEY FROM EXPANDED POSITION, SAID LOCKING MEANS BEING MOVABLE FROM SAID UPPER POSITION TO SAID LOWER POSITION WHEN SAID LOCATOR KEY IS IN EXPANDED POSITION RELATIVE TO THE MANDREL. 